I think Chris Neil is a bum, but still saw nothing to suggest that the hit on Kelly was intentional. Wensink always calls for a hysterical reaction to any situation, and it's the same way he reacts to any challange here.

That was a marginal play in a very close divisional game. Shawn Thornton, while he should be more aggressive in general, would have been dumb to come flailing off the bench and take a bunch of penalties in a Wensink-style tantrum.

He hasn't been a major defensive liability, like many fourth liners tend to be.

I'd much rather have Thornton than Ryan White or Colby Armstrong!

(Not an endorsement of Thornton by any stretch, but there are worse options.)

As I've mentioned too many times before I go to a lot of Avs games, and let me tell you that in the comparison of goons, Thornton is a lot better than many after watching Bordeleau play out here.

For me as well, this is not an endorsement of Thornton who I think is a very mixed bag and should be a scratch more often than he is. But Bordeleau is has the "awful player and a complete gentlemen enforcer" combination ten times greater than Thornton. Horrible skater, only fights goons, politely asks for fights, and doesn't respond to cheap shots on the his star players. Probably a great guy -- useless on the ice.

Amid the many posts about Neil today, it strikes me that you really want someone between Thornton and Neil. You want someone willing to go with anyone, who's honest and won't be throwing cheapshots all over the place, but you also want someone who can have an impact in every game. When you're a modestly skilled goon type, you've got to be a bit of a d*ck to have an impact in every game. I want a goon, who throws hard hits on skill players, snows the goalie, aggravates people, and generaly plays mean and angry.

Thornton doesn't really do this very often, but I think that's why he was so effective against Vancouver -- he lost the nice guy routine. I heard that he asked Bieksa if he wanted to fight every single shift he had, which had to get tiring for Bieksa. He went after anyone who got near Thomas, he crashed the net hard, he snowed Luongo, he browbeat the Canucks bench at every opportunity. It was great. If you can't contribute with skill, do that stuff.

WHy not have Thornton (THE GOON) just fight the first five opposing players that line up against him and get it all over with. He's a loose cannon anyway, so what is the difference??? He went after a player that was handing out legal checks in the last game. And, don't forget, his only job is to hurt, maim and injure opposing players. Which brings up the question once again---" is this hockey or roller derby"??"??

UNfortunately, the NHL rules allow this sideshow to continue, but it is time for Shanahan and the NHL to get a handle on this or it will remain a "friday night beer League".

WHy not have Thornton (THE GOON) just fight the first five opposing players that line up against him and get it all over with. He's a loose cannon anyway, so what is the difference??? He went after a player that was handing out legal checks in the last game. And, don't forget, his only job is to hurt, maim and injure opposing players. Which brings up the question once again---" is this hockey or roller derby"??"??

UNfortunately, the NHL rules allow this sideshow to continue, but it is time for Shanahan and the NHL to get a handle on this or it will remain a "friday night beer League".

WHy not have Thornton (THE GOON) just fight the first five opposing players that line up against him and get it all over with. He's a loose cannon anyway, so what is the difference??? He went after a player that was handing out legal checks in the last game. And, don't forget, his only job is to hurt, maim and injure opposing players. Which brings up the question once again---" is this hockey or roller derby"??"??

UNfortunately, the NHL rules allow this sideshow to continue, but it is time for Shanahan and the NHL to get a handle on this or it will remain a "friday night beer League".

Noone can dispute that Thornton is a good teammate; good in the dressing room; good for the Reynaldo cheap shots; but, that's it as a hockey player. He is and always has been a drag on the 4th line just like he nearly wiped out Paille last night. He should be Claude's 7th forward, filling in when it's necessary, not every night. The Bruins went 7 games without a fight before Buffalo clocked Thorny in the first minute. Pandolfo is much better skilled overall , and can fill in on the PK quite well, as he has shown. However Claude loves him, so someone else will have to instigate Thorny's demise. Last night, in the first period, was the best night so far for the 4th line. Hopefully Campbell and Paille will be provided with more skill as the season progresses. Campbell was out of gas at the end of last night's game. He truly gives his all every night, covering all areas of the ice.

Noone can dispute that Thornton is a good teammate; good in the dressing room; good for the Reynaldo cheap shots; but, that's it as a hockey player. He is and always has been a drag on the 4th line just like he nearly wiped out Paille last night. He should be Claude's 7th forward, filling in when it's necessary, not every night. The Bruins went 7 games without a fight before Buffalo clocked Thorny in the first minute. Pandolfo is much better skilled overall , and can fill in on the PK quite well, as he has shown. However Claude loves him, so someone else will have to instigate Thorny's demise. Last night, in the first period, was the best night so far for the 4th line. Hopefully Campbell and Paille will be provided with more skill as the season progresses. Campbell was out of gas at the end of last night's game. He truly gives his all every night, covering all areas of the ice.

Noone can dispute that Thornton is a good teammate; good in the dressing room; good for the Reynaldo cheap shots; but, that's it as a hockey player. He is and always has been a drag on the 4th line just like he nearly wiped out Paille last night. He should be Claude's 7th forward, filling in when it's necessary, not every night. The Bruins went 7 games without a fight before Buffalo clocked Thorny in the first minute. Pandolfo is much better skilled overall , and can fill in on the PK quite well, as he has shown. However Claude loves him, so someone else will have to instigate Thorny's demise. Last night, in the first period, was the best night so far for the 4th line. Hopefully Campbell and Paille will be provided with more skill as the season progresses. Campbell was out of gas at the end of last night's game. He truly gives his all every night, covering all areas of the ice.

I think you meant 13th.

Maybe he meant 7th, as in he is so versatile that he can fill in as the 7th D man.

I think Chris Neil is a bum, but still saw nothing to suggest that the hit on Kelly was intentional. Wensink always calls for a hysterical reaction to any situation, and it's the same way he reacts to any challange here.

That was a marginal play in a very close divisional game. Shawn Thornton, while he should be more aggressive in general, would have been dumb to come flailing off the bench and take a bunch of penalties in a Wensink-style tantrum.

The Bruins got the points. Injuries happen. Hope Kelly is okay.

"That was a marginal play in a very close divisional game"

You are delusional, and I never said he should come off the bench and take penalties- more lies from the liar. I thought it was embarressing to ask Neil if he did it on purpose- like he was going to give an honest answer. What would be the posssible outcome of that situation? That's just plain idiotic. I've defended ST at every turn for what he brings to this team. Last night he acted like a moron.

"Wensink always calls for a hysterical reaction to any situation, and it's the same way he reacts to any challange here."

More lies- show me where I called for a reaction. You are to the point where you'll just make sh1t up .

"and it's the same way he reacts to any challange here."

OK I answered your "challenge" honestly. Lets see you put up the quote where I called for a hysterical reaction. Or, do you just pump out BS fulltime now ?

And for the record- it was intentional without qusetion. He lifted his leg and targeted Kelly's knee. But that would require honesty and understanding of how somebody would do something like that- you obviously lack both. I guess we'll just call my reponding to your "challenge" a tantrum so you can avoid the facts -

WHy not have Thornton (THE GOON) just fight the first five opposing players that line up against him and get it all over with. He's a loose cannon anyway, so what is the difference??? He went after a player that was handing out legal checks in the last game. And, don't forget, his only job is to hurt, maim and injure opposing players. Which brings up the question once again---" is this hockey or roller derby"??"??

UNfortunately, the NHL rules allow this sideshow to continue, but it is time for Shanahan and the NHL to get a handle on this or it will remain a "friday night beer League".

I don't know if the hit was intentional or not. My gut tells me no. But look who did it. I do know that Chris Neil didn't wait to see what Matt Cooke had to say before going after him.

As far as goons go, Thornton is one of the better ones, but like I've always said, come playoff time I really don't see a need for him in the line up. Maybe insert him into the line up if something happens the game before.